Abstract:
The records of the Board of Pharmacy contain 20.5 cubic feet and 58 volumes of textual records spanning the years from 1894
to 1998. The records document the Board's work to protect consumers by licensing and regulating those responsible for dispensing
medication to the public, providing pharmaceutical information to the public and developing and enforcing state pharmaceutical
regulations.

Physical location: California State Archives

Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English

Administrative Information

Access

Several series in this record group are restricted pursuant to Civil Code section 1798.1 because they contain personal information
as defined by the Civil Code section 1798.3.

Foreign Graduate Files (Series R126.22)

Deceased Pharmacist Files (Series R126.23)

Retired/Cancelled Pharmacist Files (Series R126.24)

Publication Rights

For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the California State Archives. Permission for reproduction or publication
is given on behalf of the California State Archives as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility
for possible infringement which may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives
collections.

The California State Archives acquired the Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Pharmacy Records according to state law.

Administrative History

The Board of Pharmacy was created in 1891 by the passage of SB84 to "regulate the practice of pharmacy and sale of poisons
in the State of California." The Board was originally comprised of seven governor-appointed pharmacists, each from a different
area of the state (
Statutes of 1891, Chapter 85). In 1929, the Board of Pharmacy was placed under the Department of Professional and Vocation Standards
with the department overseeing the Board's administrative and fiscal affairs. (
Statutes of 1929, Chapter 290). The department was restructured and renamed the Department of Consumer Affairs by the Governors Reorganization
Plan No.2 of 1970. The Board currently consists of thirteen members - seven pharmacists and six public members. The seven
pharmacists are appointed by the governor and are required to reside in different regions of the state. Four of the public
members are also appointed by the governor and the remaining two are appointed by the Assembly Speaker and the Senate Rules
Committee, each appointing one.

From its earliest period, the Board was responsible for regulating the handling and distribution of dangerous and restricted
drugs, devices, poisons, hypodermics, and prophylactics. They did so by licensing and regulating individuals and facilities
engaged in handling such articles - pharmacists, pharmacist assistants and pharmacies within the state. The field of pharmacy
has expanded significantly since 1891 and with it, so has the Board's jurisdiction. The Board of Pharmacy now regulates numerous
other pharmaceutical related practitioners and facilities in addition to those mentioned above; examples include interns,
exemptees (non-licensed persons involved with the wholesalers manufacturers of drugs and medical devices), hospitals, clinics,
in-home and community support centers, as well as out-of-state order pharmacies that send filled prescriptions to California.
As of 2009, the Board licenses over 100,000 individuals and firms.

In addition to licensing, the Board is responsible for routinely inspecting licensed pharmaceutical facilities and investigating
complaints made against any pharmaceutical practitioners or facilities. If a violation is found, the Board has the authority
to take disciplinary action; this may include revocation of a license or permit, fines, probation, continuing education classes
or a simple warning. The Board also maintains an approved list of accredited schools and colleges of pharmacy and continuing
education courses. Because the Board is able to control the quality of academic and training standards in pharmacy education
through accreditation, they are able to control the quality of the skills of those entering the pharmacy practice. A pharmacy
degree is required for admittance to the pharmacy exam (which the Board creates and administers) and continuing education
is required for the renewal of licenses.

Scope and Content

The records of the Board of Pharmacy contain 20.5 cubic feet and 58 volumes of textual records spanning the years from 1894
to 1998. The records document the Board's work to protect consumers by licensing and regulating those responsible for dispensing
medication to the public, providing pharmaceutical information to the public and developing and enforcing state pharmaceutical
regulations.

A large portion of the Board of Pharmacy records are comprised of registers and files recording the licensing of pharmaceutical
dispensaries. The Board's primary means of regulating pharmacy practices within the state is through issuing permits and licenses.
A quality standard of pharmacy practice is maintained through the qualifications needed to obtain and renew licenses and permits.
The registers and files of permits and licenses, though not comprehensive, provide a record of the many types of practitioners
and facilities that the Board regulates with licenses and permits including pharmacists, interns, pharmacy technicians, pharmacies,
hospitals, clinics, home and community support services, and out-of-state mail order pharmacies.

Minutes and board meeting files make up another significant portion of the Board of Pharmacy records. These series provide
information and insight into the Board's roles as creator, keeper and enforcer of pharmaceutical regulations. In addition
to the Board's discussion of regulations, these series record disciplinary appearances before the Board documenting both revocation
and reinstatement of permits and licenses.

The committee files though not substantial in volume, are an important record of the supplementary duties of the Board of
Pharmacy. The Board has had many different committees over the years. The committees research issues and develop policy geared
toward achieving the Board's goals. Most committees were short lived and addressed issues related to current concerns of the
Board such as the automation of a triplicate system. The more long-standing committees addressed issues relating to ongoing
responsibilities of the Board such as communication and public education.

The remainder of the Board of Pharmacy records includes bill files, resolutions, subject files, correspondence, and records
pertaining to the administration of the Board. Each of these series, in addition to those already listed, illustrate the changes
in pharmacy and the Board's jurisdiction over the more than 100-year span of the records.

Related Collections at the California State Archives

Assembly Select Committee on Health Manpower

Senate Committee on State Institutions

Assembly Advisory Commission on Pharmacy

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.